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Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
34
Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To address this situation, Christ allowed the fall; thus, He spoke specifically to Peter, saying: \\"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat\\" (Luke 22:31). That is, Satan seeks to disturb, to tempt, and to shake you. However, I pray for you that your faith may not fail. But one might wonder why Christ did not pray for all if Satan sought everyone. This highlights that His focus on Peter serves a distinct purpose, emphasizing that Peter’s potential fall is particularly perilous. Why didn’t He state, \\"I have not permitted this,\\" but rather \\"I have prayed\\"? While mentioning His impending suffering, He spoke with humility to express His humanity. The One who established the Church upon Peter's proclamation and safeguarded it from overwhelming dangers and death, who entrusted him with the keys to the kingdom of heaven, had no need for prayer to protect him (for He declared, \\"I will build my church\\" and \\"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven\\" (Matthew 16:18-19)). Why, then, did He need to pray for the faith of one individual? This highlights the fragility of human nature, particularly in His disciples who struggled to fully understand Him.\\n\\nHow did Peter come to deny Christ? Jesus did not warn him against denial per se but against the failure of faith and total destruction. This exemplifies Christ’s caring nature. The overwhelming fear that engulfed Peter drove away all confidence, a fear exacerbated by God withdrawing His support, allowing pride and contradiction within Peter to prevail. To eradicate this pride, God permitted a paralyzing fear to envelop him. It’s evident that Peter grappled with this inner turmoil, as he not only contradicted both the prophet and Christ beforehand but also stubbornly claimed, \\"If I must die with you, I will not deny You,\\" after Christ’s prophecy that he would deny Him thrice before the rooster crowed (Luke 22:34-35). \\n\\nLuke further confirms Peter's escalating contradictions. When Christ announced, \\"One of you shall betray Me,\\" Peter was inwardly distressed and urged others to inquire about the traitor, despite his belief in his innocence. Yet when Christ assured him that all would be tempted, Peter vocally insisted on his steadfastness, even contradicting Christ multiple times. This behavior stemmed from his immense love and joy; once free from the fear of betrayal and recognizing the true betrayer, he confidently asserted, \\"Even if all are tempted, I will not be tempted.\\" This suggests a degree of ambition, as the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them during the Last Supper, indicating their struggle with pride.\\n\\nThus, Christ's purpose in humbling Peter was not to cast him aside but to reveal the frailty of human nature by withdrawing His support. Observe how Peter changed after the resurrection; when asked about another disciple, he simply asked, \\"Lord, what about him?\\" (John 21:21) and no longer dared to argue, remaining silent. At the ascension, when told, \\"It is not for you to know times or seasons\\" (Acts 1:7), he again refrained from contradiction. Later, in the upper room during the vision of the sheet, Peter remained silent when a voice instructed, \\"What God has made clean, do not call common\\" (Acts 10:11), even though he didn’t fully grasp the meaning. \\n\\nThis transformation occurred as a response to his prior fall. Before, Peter had attributed everything to his own strength, asserting that he would not succumb to temptation. However, post-fall, he conveyed the opposite sentiment, acknowledging, \\"Why do you look at us as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?\\" (Acts 3:12). From this, we learn a crucial lesson: individual effort alone is insufficient without divine assistance, and likewise, God's aid is of no value without our personal endeavor. The cases of Judas and Peter illustrate this truth. Judas, despite receiving great support, gained nothing as he was unwilling to strive, whereas Peter, despite his efforts, fell due to a lack of divine assistance. \\n\\nTrue virtue emerges from both divine grace and human effort. Therefore, I urge you to submit to God's will and not succumb to spiritual lethargy, ensuring your diligent efforts do not lead to self-sufficiency. God does not desire us to be complacent, nor does He wish for us to be overconfident; hence, He has omitted harmful elements while retaining beneficial means. In this manner, He allowed even the chief apostle to experience failure, thereby cultivating humility and igniting greater love within him, for it is said, \\"To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little\\" (Luke 7:47). Let us, therefore, heed God in all matters, refraining from contradiction, even when His commands may seem counterintuitive. May His word shape our understanding and intentions. Similarly, when approaching the sacraments, let us focus not on mere appearances but on the profound words of Christ, which remain eternal, in contrast to our often-deceiving senses. \\n\\nWhen Christ states, \\"This is my body,\\" let us believe and perceive with spiritual insight. Christ has given us spiritual gifts through physical means, as evidenced in baptism; the physical element of water conveys the spiritual reality of rebirth. If we were incorporeal beings, Christ would impart His gifts accordingly; however, since we are embodied souls, He communicates spiritual realities through tangible elements. Many today express a desire to see Christ's physical form, yet He offers us Himself for our intimate communion. We should approach this gift with seriousness, zeal, and fervor. If the Jewish people prepared to eat the Passover lamb with urgency, standing ready for travel, how much more should we be vigilant as we prepare for our heavenly journey?"},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Peter, inspired by his deep faith, made a mere promise, yet the Savior, in His divinity, foresaw what was to come. Observe that Peter renounced his allegiance during the night, denying his connection three times. However, upon hearing the rooster crow and witnessing the approach of dawn as darkness faded, he wept profoundly, cleansing the shame of his betrayal with tears of regret."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The statement: Before the rooster crows (Matthew 26:34) signifies that before the glorious dawn of resurrection breaks, as the call of these birds heralds the coming light while darkness still envelops the earth. Thus, prior to the life-revealing sunrise, the crowing of the rooster serves as a testament to Peter's denial, symbolizing the end of the night of condemnation and the emergence of the light of life."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Before the rooster completes its call, it typically crows multiple times before settling and then crowing again later. This is clearly illustrated in the account of Mark, who records: \\"You will deny Me three times this night, even before the second crowing of the rooster\\" (Mark 14:30). The term \\"denial\\" pertains to Peter's claim of unawareness, which is echoed in Luke's words: \\"the rooster shall not crow this day until you have denied Me three times\\" (Luke 22:34)."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Before the rooster crows,\\" refers to the crowing of the rooster—first around midnight and again as dawn approaches. Both the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke note that the rooster will crow twice. Consequently, as foretold by Christ, before the morning arrives, Peter will deny Him three times, rejecting Jesus as his Lord and Teacher, and even asserting that he does not know Him. This illustrates that, without the aid of God, even the mightiest individual is frail."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Gumilevski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896f4b6fd32caa244b5d7_Philaret%20(Gumilevski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Truly, truly, I tell you, this very day, before the sound of the second crowing is heard, you will deny me three times. This was the Savior’s declaration to Peter, as recorded in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 14:30). The accuracy of this response to Peter is unquestionable, as it is conveyed by a disciple of Peter himself. The strength of this testimony is remarkable, intensifying with each phrase. The Lord, with unwavering certainty, reveals that Peter, who believed he could withstand all temptation throughout his life, would, this very night before dawn, not once but three times, not only encounter temptation but also deny his Master. The future denial of Peter is portrayed with precise clarity. Mark notes that before the rooster crows twice, Peter will reject Christ thrice. Matthew conveys a similar message, stating that before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. Matthew's words express the same intent as Mark’s account. Since the initial crowing of the rooster at midnight is seldom noticed by those who hear it, the second crowing, occurring after midnight and before morning, is typically understood to signify the rooster's call (3 Mac. 5:23; Mk. 13:35). This is how Matthew indicates the crowing of the rooster, which heralds the approach of dawn, and implicitly refers to the first crowing that comes before this later call."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To address this issue, Christ allowed the fall, which the Lord now predicts directly to him: JESUS said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, that tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times; not once, but three times you will disown Me, declaring that you do not know Me at all.\\""},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"“Are you not going to face temptation, Peter?” Jesus asked him. “I assure you that tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times” (cf. Jn. 13:38)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He was to be with them for only a short time, and just as He had previously informed the Jews, He now told them that they could not follow Him to the place He was going. Along with this, He imparted a new commandment, instituting a community that would stand apart from worldly society, which was to love one another. However, Peter was dissatisfied with this and expressed a desire to accompany the Master. When the resolute disciple confidently asserted that nothing could hinder him from following his Master and claimed he would be willing to 'lay down his life for Him,' the Saviour corrected his boldness by warning him that before the rooster crowed, he would deny Him three times. Further revealing to His disciples the grave trials that awaited Him, the Saviour prophesied that they would all abandon Him that very night and scatter, but reassured them that He would reunite with them in Galilee after His resurrection."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To heal the disciple burdened by pride, the Lord prophesied his impending denial: “Amen I say to you, because you will deny me three times this day in this night, before even the second loop is shouted, you will deny me.” This prophecy was remarkably fulfilled."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"What left the disciples profoundly impacted were His statements regarding His impending separation from them. Peter, puzzled, inquired, ‘Where are You going, Lord?’ Jesus responded by clarifying His meaning: ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but later,’ indicating that one day Peter would possess the strength to endure trials like His, a strength he did not yet possess. Despite his readiness to give himself up shortly, Peter was discontent with this delayed reassurance. Unaware of his limitations, he expressed a desire to accompany Jesus at that moment, believing in his own steadfastness: ‘I will lay down my life for You, Lord,’ he pledged. In turn, the Lord predicted that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed, signifying the approach of midnight. The Lord understood Peter's inherent weakness, foreseeing the events that would unfold within just a few hours of his intense devotion: ‘Will you truly lay down your life for Me now? - You have little time left before midnight, and within that brief period, you will deny Me three times.’"}]}
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